Chapters 18–19
36. How is “the Christmas story . . . itself the ultimate reproof of all tyranny” (p. 168)?
37. “‘This is why Papa hates you’—he lifted his voice to the vaulted ceiling—‘and now I will hate you forever also. We come all this way, my sister and me and Uncle Jambonneau’s dog, and you are not really here. We will go away cold and with empty bellies from this place that looks like a church but is not a church’” (Jerome Jardin, p. 171)
Have you ever been disappointed by, or hurt by, the church? How has that experience affected your view of God and the church?
Note the irony: After Jerome says he hates the church, it is indeed the church that fulfills the Bible’s promise to feed the hungry and clothe the destitute. The Communion bread provides dinner for three hungry individuals, and the beautiful altar cloth provides a warm blanket for the shivering and wet Marie. Two of God’s “small miracles”! What miracles are you overlooking in your life?
38. The German pilots were David’s enemies, yet he decided to go see them. Although one was friendly and the other bitter, David felt compassion for both of them (see p. 176).
If someone was trying to kill you and was injured in the process, would you go to see him or her? And if so, what would you say?
Chapter 20
39. “‘You are here tonight as one of God’s footsteps,’ the priest replied quietly. ‘You came tonight because tomorrow may be too late’” (Father Kopecky to Horst von Bockman, p. 182).
Has someone been “one of God’s footsteps” to you? Have you been “one of God’s footsteps” to someone else? Tell or write about the experience.
40. “It is in your hands now to change the future of one,” the priest tells Horst (p. 182). When you see the needs around you today, it’s easy to grow overwhelmed—“So many! Too many to count!” Horst thinks (p. 193). But how could you help to change the future of just one?
41. “Jesus said, ‘Whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.’ Don’t you see, Horst? How God loves them! Their angels are constantly before His throne. To have compassion on a child . . . there is no act so holy. It is as if you carry the Christ child in your arms!” (p. 182).
What is your attitude toward children? In what ways does it resemble Jesus’ attitude? In what areas do you need to grow in compassion?
PART III
Chapters 21–22
42. “I am so sorry . . . God? Hear me,” Horst whispers (p. 192) on the train from Warsaw to Berlin.
Do you need to say these words to God today? Then why not do it now and feel the sweet relief of His forgiveness? For as the Bible promises:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His love for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
—Psalm 103:8-12
43. “I have done this because . . . because I must! That is all!” Horst tells Katrina (p. 195). When have you dared to do something just because you knew it was the right thing to do, regardless of the consequences?
44. When have you felt helpless around another person’s emotions, as Jerome did around his sister, Marie (see p. 199)? What was the situation? What did you do?
45. Two women make “unkind comments about Papillon and the fact that Marie was skinny and her shoes were much too large for her feet” (p. 203).
How do you respond when you see people who are not dressed well on the street? Has reading about Jerome and Marie’s life in Paris Encore changed your attitude toward “people on the street”? If so, how?
Chapters 23–26
46. When Henri was feeling sorry for himself (see p. 215), how did Madame Rose respond?
When a friend or family member feels that way, how do you decide what is needed—empathy, compassion, or action? What person you know needs to hear Monceau’s rule three today: “No matter what circumstance befalls you, you must never, never give up”? (p. 215).
47. When have you, like Murphy, felt the strain of a long separation from those you love (p. 226)? How did you handle that time apart? Looking back now, would you have done things any differently? If so, how?
48. Step into Josie’s shoes for a moment. You’ve just been told that you’re supposed to travel through dangerous territory, in the middle of a war, to pick up someone who is considered a “criminal” by the reigning government (see p. 236). Would you take the risk of such a perilous journey? Give the reasons for your decision.
49. Do you believe, as Madame Rose does, “With God all things are possible” (p. 237)? What experiences in your life have led you to believe or not believe this statement?
Chapters 27–28
50. Should the United States have an immigration restriction (see p. 243)? List the pros and cons. If you had been in charge of immigration quotas in 1939–1940, would you have made any different decisions?
51. Madame Rose and Madame Betsy had a tremendous responsibility—providing for and caring for the numerous children at No. 5 Rue de la Huchette in Paris. And yet they also took time to play a good-natured game of baseball with the children.
When you look at your schedule and what it says about your priorities, what can you learn from Rose and Betsy? What change(s) do you need to make to your schedule in the coming week?
52. God is in the business of miracles, Josie realizes when she meets Madame Rose (see p. 250). Have you ever sensed that God “put you together” with someone else for a great purpose? What has happened since then?
Perhaps even now you must make a decision about an opportunity to do good . . . which is also risky. What will you choose to do about it?
Chapters 29–30
53. The men in the hellhole of the Altmark are in deep trouble . . . about as deep as they can get. But Chaplain Gabriel assures them, “God can hear our prayers” (p. 263). However, those who haven’t talked to God before aren’t quite sure what to say to Him. “Just have a nice chat,” the chaplain replies. “That’s all. And then listen for a while” (p. 254).
Do you pray for “little things,” such as a cough to get better? Or do you wait for the “big things” before you ask for God’s help? Give a recent example.
God says, “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Why not take Him up on His promise?
54. “As [Mac] fell, a trio of shots splatted against the metal of the Altmark’s superstructure, showering him with chips of rusty paint. The point of impact was just where his chest would have been” (p. 267).
Do you think Mac was saved by chance circumstances or by God for a reason? Explain your answer. Have you ever been in a similar position?
Epilogue
55. If you had fallen in love, like Mac and Eva, what would you do? Stay home and get married? Go back to finish your assignment since it’s your duty and just hope you don’t die? How would you make your decision, knowing it’s possible you would never see the person you love again?
56. When times are uncertain, are you able to believe in God and trust him for the outcome? Why or why not?
If you do not yet trust in Jesus—Yeshua, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, God’s only Son—why not choose today as the day to be courageous? to take a risk on God and see where that commitment will take you?
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in Your righteousness.
Turn Your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me. . . .
Into Your hands I commit my
spirit;
redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.
I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
Let Your face shine on Your servant;
save me in Your unfailing love.
How great is Your goodness,
which You have stored up for those who fear You,
which You bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in You.
In the shelter of Your presence You hide them
from the intrigues of men;
in Your dwelling You keep them safe.
—Psalm 31:1-2, 5, 14-16, 19-20
About the Authors
Bodie and Brock Thoene BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. That these best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered--—that the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.
In their timeless classic series about Israel (The Zion Chronicles, The Zion Covenant, and The Zion Legacy), the Thoenes’ love for both story and research shines.
With The Shiloh Legacy series and Shiloh Autumn--—poignant portrayals of the American depression--—and The Galway Chronicles, which dramatically tells of the 1840s famine in Ireland, as well as the twelve Legends of the West, the Thoenes have made their mark in modern history.
In the A.D. Chronicles, their most recent series, they step seamlessly into the world of Yerushalyim and Rome, in the days when Yeshua walked the earth and transformed lives with His touch.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in jJournalism and C communications.
Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both Hhistory and Eeducation, Brock has, in his role asof researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classroomsclassrooms to teach history.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children--—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie--—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audio books. Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
For more information visit:
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www.FamilyAudioLibrary.com
Thoene Family Classics
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC HISTORICALS by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Gold Medallion Winners*
The Zion Covenant
Vienna Prelude*
Prague Counterpoint
Munich Signature
Jerusalem Interlude
Danzig Passage
Warsaw Requiem*
London Refrain
Paris Encore
Dunkirk Crescendo
The Zion Chronicles
The Gates of Zion*
A Daughter of Zion
The Return to Zion
A Light in Zion
The Key to Zion*
The Shiloh Legacy
In My Father’s House*
A Thousand Shall Fall
Say to This Mountain
Shiloh Autumn
The Galway Chronicles
Only the River Runs Free*
Of Men and of Angels
Ashes of Remembrance*
All Rivers to the Sea
The Zion Legacy
Jerusalem Vigil
Thunder from Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s Heart
Jerusalem Scrolls
Stones of Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s Hope
A.D. Chronicles
First Light
Second Touch
Third Watch
Fourth Dawn
Fifth Seal
Sixth Covenant
Seventh Day
Eighth Shepherd
Ninth Witenss
Tenth Stone
and more to come!
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC AMERICAN LEGENDS
Legends of the West by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Riders of the Silver Rim
Gold Rush Prodigal
Sequoia Scout
Cannons of the Comstock
Year of the Grizzly
Shooting Star
Legend of Storey County
Hope Valley War
Delta Passage
Hangtown Lawman
Cumberland Crossing
Legends of Valor by Luke Thoene
Sons of Valor
Brothers of Valor
Fathers of Valor
THOENE CLASSIC NONFICTION by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Writer-to-Writer
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC SUSPENSE by Jake Thoene
Chapter 16 Series
Shaiton’s Fire
Firefly Blue
Fuel the Fire
THOENE FAMILY CLASSICS FOR KIDS by Jake and Luke Thoene
Baker Street Detectives
The Mystery of the Yellow Hands
The Giant Rat of Sumatra
The Jeweled Peacock of Persia
The Thundering Underground
Last Chance Detectives
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa
Legend of the Desert Bigfoot
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC AUDIOBOOKS
Available from www.FamilyAuioLibrary.com
Table of Contents
PART I
PART II
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 20
PART III
Epilogue